ENGHIEN. 329 



to transmit to Edinburgh the cones of P. echinata and P. 

 romana, when both should be fully ripe *. 



The double-flowered Lilac, forming a very large shrub, 

 was pointed out to us ; and we were proceeding to view 

 other rare shrubs, when we were suddenly overtaken by a 

 violent thunder-storm, and compelled to flee for shelter to 

 Mr Parmentier's house. As this thunder-storm was of a 

 character different from what we are accustomed to in Scot- 

 land, and much more striking than what we had witnessed 

 at Brussels, a short notice of it may be excused. — A dense, 

 black cloud was seen advancing from the east ; and as this 

 cloud developed itself and increased in magnitude, one-half 

 of the horizon became shrouded in darkness, enlivened on- 

 ly by occasional flashes of forked lightning, while the other 

 half of the horizon remained clear, with the sun shining 

 bright. As the black cloud approached, the sun's rays tinged 

 it of a dull copper colour, and the reflected light caused all the 

 streets and houses to assume the same lurid and metallic hue. 

 This had a very uncommon and impressive effect. Before we 

 reached the Mayor's house, scarce a passenger was to be seen 

 on the streets ; but we remarked women at the doors, kneel- 

 ing, and turning their rosaries as they invoked their saints. 

 Meantime " thick and strong the sulphurous flame de- 

 scended ;" the flashes and peals began to follow each other 

 in almost instantaneous succession, and the tout-ensemble 

 became awfully sublime. A sort of whirlwind, which even 

 raised the small gravel from the streets, and dashed it 



• A box containing a liberal supply of these was accordingly received in 

 April 1818. But the Society not having been able to accomplish the esta- 

 blishment of an Experimental Garden, they were necessarily distributed 

 among different members, who possessed opportunities of giving them a 

 trial. The seeds of P. echinata. we regret to add, had not attained suffi 

 cient maturity to enable them to germinate. 



